Results 961-980 of 1,253 for speaker:John Crown

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Cystic Fibrosis Unit: Discussion (13 Dec 2012)

John Crown: Does Professor Gallagher feel pressurised to transfer some of those 20% back?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Cystic Fibrosis Unit: Discussion (13 Dec 2012)

John Crown: I have a quick follow-up question. I am sorry to put Professor Gallagher on the spot. Professor Gallagher and I are old friends and colleagues and I have limitless respect for what he has achieved with the CF patients and, more broadly, in upscaling the quality of respiratory medicine in this country. Does he believe, as is being billed to us, that 20 designated beds plus competitive...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Cystic Fibrosis Unit: Discussion (13 Dec 2012)

John Crown: My understanding is that the international guidelines are clear on this matter. For a cohort of approximately 340 adult cystic fibrosis patients there should be 34 beds. That is what is needed and any departure from 34 beds is a departure from international guidelines. The figure of 34 beds was agreed, but 24 designated beds were delivered and an additional 14 single inpatient rooms were...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2012)

John Crown: Several colleagues have alluded to the issue already but I want the Leader to seek clarification from the Minister for Health regarding reports of contacts between high-level members of the pharmaceutical sector and the Government in terms of developing policy on drug prices and what the State is prepared to pay. By way of information for those Senators who are not aware, although they may...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2012)

John Crown: Several colleagues have alluded to the issue already but I want the Leader to seek clarification from the Minister for Health regarding reports of contacts between high-level members of the pharmaceutical sector and the Government in terms of developing policy on drug prices and what the State is prepared to pay. By way of information for those Senators who are not aware, although they may...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (29 Nov 2012)

John Crown: The argument is somewhat repetitive of the argument on amendment No. 4. I would like to point out that our country disproportionately relies on foreign direct investment in the export sector and on the employment practices of multinational companies. Many multinational companies have clauses stating that persons who become bankrupt, engaged with bankruptcy services or enter into...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Nov 2012)

John Crown: On a point of order, will the Leader clarify which public relations company has issued this statement on behalf of the hospital?

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Health to clarify the situation regarding the brand new cystic fibrosis unit in St Vincent's University Hospital, the first designated cystic fibrosis unit for a nation with the world's highest incidence of this lethal genetic disorder. Over several years, when plans were being made to build a cystic fibrosis unit in the new block at St Vincent's...

Seanad: Request to move Adjournment of Seanad under Standing Order 30 (28 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I request an urgent statement from the Minister for Health to clarify the position regarding the availability of beds in the cystic fibrosis unit in St. Vincent's Hospital in view of the fact that despite the new unit being open, cystic fibrosis patients are still being admitted to unsuitable, non-isolated rooms and wards.

Seanad: Request to move Adjournment of Seanad under Standing Order 30 (28 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I accept the ruling. It is my intention to raise this on the Order of Business and request a debate because of the extremely disappointing fact-----

Seanad: Request to move Adjournment of Seanad under Standing Order 30 (28 Nov 2012)

John Crown: -----that patients are still being admitted to unsuitable, non-isolated beds despite the new unit being open.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2012)

John Crown: Will the Leader bring to the attention of the Minister for Health that, with respect to the calls for a public inquiry into the sad and tragic loss of Savita Halappanavar, there is a mechanism in place for a public inquiry. It will happen. It is an inquest and it is statutory, sworn and has the power to compel witnesses. That inquest should take place as quickly as possible, before any...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I have great pleasure in seconding this visionary proposal by Senator White. I hope it will be agreed to by the House and, if not, that it will spark a far-reaching debate. I refer to members of the Cabinet who will be in their 65th year if this Government runs it course. Some of them will be 65 years while others will be in their 65th year. For instance, if they were working in the...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

John Crown: During my brief contribution, I have made a couple of points that are probably not germane to the legislation, although I will be making a few editorial comments on it. As regards those who find themselves facing catastrophic, unsustainable, house-losing, bankruptcy-threatening debt, but who have money locked in pension funds that they cannot touch for many years until they are retired, long...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I welcome the Minister who has the zeal of a reformer, which is always welcome, and I commend him on his attempt to improve the unsatisfactory regime in place for people with difficulties in their personal finances. With goodwill, good legislation will emerge, which will generally improve the climate. There is a cultural backdrop to what is going on. Our society historically did not like...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion with Minister for Health (20 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I asked a question about who picked the original committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion with Minister for Health (20 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I did not submit questions so I do not wish to catch the Minister on the hop. I wish to make a few general points and put a question about the Halappanavar tragedy. The Minister and our colleagues will be aware that Ireland has extremely low maternal mortality. In some years there are no maternal deaths and in most years there is one or perhaps two. Most western countries that have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Forthcoming Health Council: Discussion with Minister for Health (20 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I again wish to express my approval of the decision to alter the membership of the investigative committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Forthcoming Health Council: Discussion with Minister for Health (20 Nov 2012)

John Crown: Fine. At the recent meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and again in the Minister's presence in the Seanad, I stated that there is much merit to the idea of the European Union committing to a long-term strategic goal of eradicating all commerce for profit in tobacco. It is a given that if tobacco were discovered for the first time tomorrow, it would not be legal. Chemicals...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

John Crown: I am prepared to withdraw that amendment in light of the information provided. I ask the Leader to convey our appreciation to the Minister for making the correct decision and our concern that great thought be put into the composition of the board. I would urge that in the interests of independence as many non-Irish based specialists as possible be appointed to the board.